MD&I Baseball Academy

10/31/2026

Below I made a post about "The Buckeye Elite Tournament"...it seems like these awesome tournaments from my coaching experience has fallen off a bit. I'm glad that they are still operating and going strong!

You will see some the best travel baseball teams in the Midwest and Canada. Below are some of the teams I had the chance to be part of the coaching staff...except for one LOL!

2009 - Columbus Cobras...this team won the Buckeye Elite tournament and finish their season 40-4! Mostly seniors except one (Cody Riedinger). He always played up, and over the years, our West Chester Sluggers team always played his dad's team. My son (Ricky) and Matt Malloy (Oak Hills/ West Virginia) are posing with the trophy... I was a dad enjoying that summer!

2. Midland Sluggers 15u (Yellow T-shirts)...the championship game played @ Bill Davis Stadium. I was more of an Evaluator/Asst Coach..Didn't become full-time coach until 16u.
This was an awesome team! Several high school players who were part MLB Draft and lots of college players.

3. Cincinnati Bandits 16u (Maroon tops)...they were runner-ups. Funny, I coached this team for 2 years (Asst Coach/ 1 year and Head Coach/ 1year)... This team went from playing at a " 12u silver level" to developing the talent and getting players to play at the "national/travel baseball" level.

That's what real coaching is about, getting players to buy-in, and consistently playing against "tough competition".

Coaches, 14u and up go check out the "The Buckeye Elite" tournament.
Btw, there were lots of college coaches in the stands. The college baseball letters, Ricky received, coaches mentioned that they saw him play several times during the summer.

10/31/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1MTcCzHN6u/

10/28/2026

From Dan Cevette


BASEBALL PARENTS: ⚾️👇

According to NCAA estimates:

• 472,598 high school baseball players.
• Just 8.8% advance to NCAA baseball.
• Only 2.7% reach Division I.

Now consider this...

D1 programs operating under the new roster rules generally have 34 roster spots.

Those spots aren't just for incoming freshmen. They're shared with returning players, transfers, and other recruits.

Here's what I wish more parents understood...

Your son can be GOOD ENOUGH to play at a school and STILL never receive an offer.

Why?

Because recruiting isn't simply about talent.

It's about POSITIONAL NEEDS, ROSTER AVAILABILITY, PROJECTABILITY, ACADEMICS, FINANCES, and TIMING.

A coach knowing your son doesn't mean he's recruiting him.

And a coach not offering your son doesn't automatically mean he isn't good enough.

My advice?

Study rosters. Understand the numbers. Ask better questions. Find the right fit, and go where you're wanted ‼️

Don't put a ceiling on your kid's dreams, but don't ignore the realities of the process either.

The goal isn't just to get RECRUITED. It's to find somewhere your son can DEVELOP, COMPETE, and SUCCEED.

Knowledge is power. 🙌

10/27/2026

From: Trent Mongero
Mongero

10/26/2026

From: Gregory Jones

Parents:
Some great information for college players, if their looking to play in the summer.

10/22/2026

https://www.the-sun.com/sport
This kinda of stuff has happened here in our area.

Read article below.

/17180086/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ussunsport&fbclid=IwdGRzaAVHA69jbGNrBUcDeGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YFc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeb_xvfYivCFhi74VH_55kX2cjAoSGIJrHZFQu-O91bh5MB0rkI77lz5zFqMI_aem_qKtHhnyirdk1Wk7J7XyTrQ&sfnsn=mo

A FORMER MLB outfielder has been charged with fraud after he ran a youth baseball program scheme with his wife. Ex-MLB player Richard Butler and his wife, Michelle, face multiple charges after a fr…

10/19/2026

From: Baseball Dudes

Call it What You Want...

It doesn’t matter what you want to call it:

• Travel ball
• Select ball
• Tournament ball
• League ball
• City League ball
• Little League ball

It’s still youth baseball. It’s a hard game being played by kids. That alone is a challenge but then add in adult emotions and intentions of wanting to be “superior” and you have a recipe for disaster. Keep those expectations realistic.

Even though some of these kids have grown quicker than others, were born with different abilities than their peers, they are still kids. They will make mistakes (a lot), struggle with focus, look amazing one second then trip on nothing the next, have poor body language, tear up and do many other things that get under us adults skin.

Yep, they are kids! Funny thing is once upon a time we were them and did the same things, made off the wall comments, had squirrel moments and drove our parents, coaches and teachers crazy. So in reality, we get frustrated with them for the same things we did 🤔.

This is youth baseball. No matter how we want to spin it and give it a title that implies we are better than the others, I would slow down and remember that this phase in their lives is not about us. Not about our experience but all about them, their personal growth as young athletes and people and we are here to help them get the most out of it for as long as they would like to play them game.

In fact, we have an opportunity to enjoy something with them that many of us enjoyed growing up. And for a few of them, their ability will grow into something amazing which will lead to opportunities they dream of.

Grow the game!

10/16/2026

A couple of days ago, I was cleaning my office area and I have so many cards, and pictures from MD&I students and their family over the years... along with reminders of friends and family who's no longer with us.

These are reminders of why I founded "MD&I" and the young people and families who changed my life, and hopefully I made a impact on their lives.

I discuss on numerous occasions LOL, us as dad/father can't give up on developing the mental and physical of our own kids...sports thru failure and success prepares
the player for life challenges.Thats why it's important thru "sweat equity and sacrifice" to continue working with your son/daughter versus relying on lessons or team practice.

Again, during this clean up I came across a "Fathers Day Card" from Ricky...that's when it really hit home. That our "sacrifice and sweat equity" as Father and Son paid off. My wife and I always talk about how awesome he is as a "husband and dad".

That's MD&I! Sometimes we get caught up in the wrong stuff, as they move thru different levels of athletics. Guess what?? I did too!
This card reminds me of that.

Please read...3rd picture.

10/15/2026

Coaches,
Do you know if any of your players wear these?

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HxzofYhdo/

10/15/2026

Coaches/Parents,

Have you guys heard about "Club Baseball" in college? It's for players who still love playing the game...there's no scholarships and the President of the Club Team, is either a student or a player (both).

I have a former Riverbats player (Bryson) he played for Ohio University. His team played in a tournament in Florida...and it's fun!
I knew (2) former Lakota West players, who were Presidents of their sanctioned Club teams at: Miami(OH) and University of Dayton. I did a MD&I Baseball Camp (2012/2013) with the UD Club Team. That was cool!

So whatever college your son or daughter might attend, check into "Club Sports".

NCBA

Welcome to the National Club Baseball Association. The National Club Baseball Association (NCBA) is the fastest growing intercollegiate baseball organization in the country. We are the only National Governing Body for Collegiate Club Baseball and are driven to provide collegiate student-athletes wit...